i'm done with my graceless heart

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era, darkness in the light—

     Nikolai held onto her hands, returning a reassuring squeeze back as he allowed his shoulders to drop ever so slightly in the presence of his sister. Simply being around his siblings made him feel back home and not stuck beneath a mountain with snakes in the mix. It was a love he could not afford to show, however, so out in the open in this crowd. Those within the Night Court knew how unbreakable the children of the night were when it came to one another but those from the others? Simply showing a flash of affection in front of the wrong watchful eyes could be a grave mistake Nikolai could not afford to risk. 

    “Partly, yes. I also did want you here to keep you safe beside me, too. With Draco and I here, I did not want to think of you in the Hewn City without us able to winnow whenever we could and be at your side.” He tracked where her eyes were glued and watched the retreating figures scurry off, unable to recognize their faces. He made a mental note of the suspicious fae to have Asteria sniff it out. “If only they knew how wicked you were to your poor brothers,” he teased. “Not quite yet but I suppose one might be half a fool to check a High Lord. The prince of Macedon appears to be quite the challenge I hear and I spoke to a Made who seems to have no interest in allying herself with anybody. Anything interesting on your end?”

Perhaps it was unwise for the Eveningstar’s to show so much affection towards one another in such a crowded place. The rumor of the high lord of the night court and his family had been well, and purposefully, spread into each court. It did well for them to be seen as ruthless, cold, and even maniacal at times. When people saw you as too nice, they took advantage of you. When they saw who it was you loved, well, that meant they spotted a weakness. However, Era knew that it could work in their favor as well. The Hewn City knew all the siblings were fierce and fiercely loyal, so whenever Nikolai or Draco arrived to visit, it meant the demons were on their best behavior. They knew that one wrong word in any direction could unleash the wrath of the others. The rest of Prythian should know it too. Any time they messed with the Night Court, they were getting three as one. Era smiled. 

“I can handle myself in the Hewn City.” She said through pursed lips. She’d learned how to handle those people. “Just as I can handle myself here.” Era dropped her voice into whisper. “And just because you and Draco have more power available to you, doesn’t mean I can’t hold my own. Remember that, Nikki.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek with a grin. “Wicked indeed.” She laughed. “There are plenty of fully grown fools, here. It wouldn’t be too surprising.” She made a mental note about the Prince. “Which Made?” Era sighed. “Sol is here and speaking very ominously about my future. Did father ever tell you much about him and the terms of their bargain?”

He smiled - full bloomed and genuine. Had she formerly not grown frustrated with his method of speech as well? “One day, you will need no explanation. You’ll simply understand.” Perhaps he needed to push toward speaking with a spell cleaver sooner rather than later. “A mystery? Should you wish to unravel the secrets, you need only ask. Though I cannot guarantee you will be immediately pleased with the answers.” Reaching out ( because in the end he couldn’t help himself and he was nothing but a greedy being ), fingers dusted across the back of her hand. “Everything I do is for my own advantage. And while I had ventured under your mountain with the intent of doing as I pleased, I think perhaps your Court interests me once more.”

There it was - the interest he had hoped to spark. Lips quirked upward - and his original smile morphed into something similar to a smirk despite himself. “You’re a smart woman, I’m sure you’ll think of something.” Fingers trailed over the back of her hand once more before a shoulder rose into a shrug. “Is that not what all beings desire? More?” Few would ever be satisfied with what they had. There was always something else out there they would crave ( and anyone who stated otherwise was likely lying ). “I knew you before the Prison and I now know you after. Your Cauldron has blessed me with a second chance, and make no mistake Era Eveningstar. I will not make the same mistakes of the past.”

“How very vague of you.” Era drawled, rolling her eyes in a not-so subtle manner. She considered his offer. Would it be more prudent to ask him what it was all about now? Could she even depend on him to tell her the truth? More than likely it would only lead her further down this rabbit holes with even more questions than before. “Like I said, I have more pressing matters at present than your self-involved enigma. In case it’s escaped your notice, there’s a bit of an event going on around us.” The instant his skin came into contact with hers, it felt like fire coursing through her. She pulled her hand back slightly. “What about my Court interests you?”

He definitely looked too smug with himself. A bargain would probably be a horrible idea, especially if for some reason, this was what he wanted. Yet, even if it were a bad idea, if it could give them an edge... would it still be worth it? “Perhaps I will. I suppose it needs due thought then.” Era chewed absent-mindedly on the inside of her cheek. “No. Some beings simply desire to keep what they have and some wish to be rid of what they never wanted to begin with." Era certainly hadn’t wanted more. She would have been content with her mother and her freedom. Cauldron knows that wasn’t her fate. Although his words left her questioning how much he knew about her fate. What exactly did his powers entail? “Oh? And what mistakes will you make, Sunfyre?”

He didn’t like the idea of being blinded either - but they were creatures of the darkness. If anyone would be able to navigate their way through this, it would be their court. Offering a squeeze of her hand right back, he flashed her a brief smile. “I have faith that between the group of us, we will know what we need to soon enough.” The Made were not something he knew how to navigate. He’d run into the one Nikolai had offered refuge once or twice now, but  he never knew what to make of the woman. A former human princess turned into a fae - one who wasn’t willing to share a lengthy story with many? “Nikolai is the one to make that judgement. But seeing as he’s likely poked around her head and he hasn’t tossed her aside? I would assume for now we can.” 

Raising his gaze from his sister to trail after his little mate, his brows drew together. It seemed he couldn’t help himself from checking in on her every few minutes. “She quite literally fell into my arms and then chatted my ear off. I’m positive. She looked at me and it was like something inside me shifted - aligned. Like I’ve spent years breathing underwater and could finally take a gasp of air.” Suppressing a growl as an unfamiliar man approached the woman and the pair began speaking, Draco tore his gaze from the pair to look at his sister. “I’m attempting to not bring the Mountain down around us, dear sister. Things are delicate between the Courts and if I do something out of sheer primal instinct and mess something up for the Night Court I would never forgive myself.” And in truth, he’d had no idea how to bring it up.

Era wished that she could have the same amount of confidence as Draco, but there were too many variables. There was too much they could miss if they weren’t careful. While she personally had no grudges against the humans nor the ones who had been Made, Era had a difficult time letting down her walls. She knew they did not trust the fae. Until they could prove on both side that the tensions had quelled, Era wouldn’t be trusting any of them soon. “Unless she knows how to put up walls. It would be just like Nik to  take that as a challenge instead of a warning.” 

A clumsy, chattering mate for her brother? Era couldn’t begin to imagine it. She resisted the urge to laugh a bit at his expression, but was fairly certain if she did bust into a giggle, Draco might snap. He appeared to be barely hanging on by a thread as it was. “She’s a pretty little thing. Did you tell her that the bond snapped into place? Did you tell her anything or just run away?” The growl did rumble around them. Era’s brows raised cautiously. Her brother had always been the most in control. He was so vigilante and restrained. If even he was buckling to the biology of the bond, then it must be more powerful that she’d ever understood. “Why don’t we talk a walk to the throne room? Distance may serve you well at the moment.”

“Insult?” He murmured, infinitely pleased the woman continued to meet his gaze without so much as averting her gaze. Part of him wished to reach out for the lock of hair he’d all to willingly released, but for now the close proximity to the woman would have to suffice. “I wouldn’t dare. You needn’t worry over what you miss. Vengeance has been on the forefront of my mind for centuries and I assure you all wrongs will be rightened.” 

“Then perhaps we should test your theory. Shall we make a bargain my dear?” There was no chance she ever agreed to such a thing - and if she did, there was nothing he wouldn’t do to manipulate the circumstances to his advantage. A bargain that would never be broken - her skin would forever be marked by their deal. Laughing at her misunderstanding, he finally tore his gaze from the woman to look at the rest of the hall - his gaze growing distasteful. “Such a thing would displease you and while I care little for the intercourt politics that plague the fae, I have already lost enough years. Attempting to earn your forgiveness for such a thing inconvenience us both. I simply meant the Hewn City is small. Once, you might have had Prythian.” Trapped in the body as he was, such a feat would be difficult. “You never were one to be trapped, now or then.”

Era narrowed her eyes. “One day I will make you explain your riddles to me.” She said, contemplating the words he said. Perhaps it was a side-effect of his being inside of a fae body. Was it too much to contain? “And why you are so intent to keep it a mystery now, but it will have to wait until my mind is less occupied by the potential war approaching. Tell me, will you be aligning yourself willingly with any side?”

Her brows quirked upward. “A bargain?” Could she find a way to use this to her advantage? Was Era actually being presented with the opportunity to bring Sol back into the Night Court’s arsenal? It seemed too good. He would never go through with it. “What sort of bargain would prove what I’ve said? Hm?” Bargains were common enough in the Night Court, but unlike other courts, they were marked with tattoos. It was a visible sign of your promises. Era had two. “What desire would I have to rule all of Prythian? And how do you claim to know me so well? You know almost nothing about me.”

His eyes flickered to the siphon at her wrist, but there was no surprise to find the amethyst gem there. All of the former High Lords children had been trained well. They knew never go to a party unarmed or alone. “Everyone cares for someone, sister.” He remarked with a slight frown. It was a scenario he’d thought over again and again - what he might do if someone held his family in their grasp. Anything. He would do absolutely anything to ensure their safety. “We will dig for a weak spot and ensure that the world knows that we are quite capable of living up to the reputation they see.” He couldn’t imagine the amount of blood he would be capable of spilling before the guilt sank in. “The Princess that was found in our court. The one he runs off to teach on occasion.” Tearing his eyes away from his sister to scan the room, he found the wisp of a woman almost immediately. His throat worked around the lump that had formed there and after a moment, his head gave a rough shake. “I met her. My mate.”

Despite the confidence in his words, Era was not so sure. Draco did not have to spend the time with the courtiers of the Hewn City that she had. Era knew that there were souls who cared for nothing, not even themselves. They involved the most creative torture to control. That was only half of the problem, though. Era, Draco, Nikolai- it was no secret what they cared for. Their vulnerability was on display. It would always be each other. She reached out and took his hand, squeezing it tightly. “I do not like not knowing who our enemies are.” She admitted. “Hm. Better than the icy one, I suppose. Do we trust her?” Era couldn’t answer. All the Made could fall to any court at this point. His next sentence completely derailed her train of thought, though. “What?!” She hissed. “Who? When? How? Are you sure? Why didn’t you say that first?!”

“Indeed they are, and technically so are you, otherwise you would’ve noticed I’d tailed you a long time ago,” she said flicking her hair over one shoulder. “I’m only doing my job Era, so I’m sorry if my presence… bothers you in some way.” she says with a shrug. Taking a drink from her goblet, the girl nods. “I know, it is different, much too grand I think. And everyone here are all speaking for their own personal gain right now, which is irritating seeing as the purpose of everyone being together was for us to talk about what the hell is going on, not to flaunt how powerful and rich they all are.” with a roll of her eyes Asteria stood beside the girl and studied the room. “I’m not really one for gatherings like this and considering this is more of a working thing than it is for leisure… I’d say It’s not that bad.” 

“Who’s to say that I didn’t notice?” She hadn’t, but Asteria was no threat to her. Era’s instincts were honed in tonight on those that would do her harm. Nikolai would fool with making friends. Afterall, they all had their jobs to do. Even her brother’s right hand. “Nonsense. You’re as much a comfort to me as any friend. I accepted a long time ago that my brothers would have eyes on me in one way or another. At least I know you’re someone I can trust.” She assured her. “I do not think it will be easy to pull us all together. There is too much power at odds.” There were too many warring opinions and histories and cultures. The anger hadn’t been speared at the proper people. “I haven’t been to a gathering like this in so long it feels like a foreign land. At least it doesn’t seem so bad to you.”

   Like a shadow taking form, the High Lord of Night found himself beside his sister soundlessly, glaring at the fae staring hard back at her. He was in the middle of talking to a member of a different court when he caught the exchange of cold glances from the corner of his eye. Nikolai had lost his siblings in the crazy midst of things when they first arrived but once the formal introductions were out of way and the crowd had begun to morph form a mass of different colors and shapes to smaller cliques, Era stood out to him clear as day in the horde. 

    At the sight of the two standing shoulder to shoulder, the fae seemed to notice the disadvantage and took refuge in the dispersing mess of people, getting lost within the crowd. Crossing his arms across his chest, Nikolai looked sideways at his sister. “Are you scaring the helpless for fun, sister? I thought we were suppose to be on our best behavior.” 

Like a silent night, Nikolai appeared. It was an instantaneously comforting presence. Without a second thought, Era reached out and took his hand gratefully. Her brothers had always been her rocks. They kept her steady against all storms. At least they tried. There was an intimidation when witnessing any high lord, but there was something unique in seeing the children of night. Especially when they were together as a unified entity. Era’s ferocity alone could knock you off your feet, but Nikolai’s charm would bury you. It was a whiplash between them. The two disappeared into the crowd swiftly, and she couldn’t help but smile. 

“Is this not my best behavior? I thought scaring people is the reason you wanted me here, Nikki.” She asked without taking her eyes from the backs of the retreating figures. “They’ve all heard of what happens in my Hewn City. Era Eveningstar is a wicked queen. Now I must prove the rumors true. Intimidation can be our ally. Besides, they started it. I was merely standing here observing when they decided to gawk.” Something in her hurt to know that the world saw her as a monster, but she knew that it was worth the facade to keep the people of her court, to keep her family safe. It was a role she could play. “Has anyone tried attempted to sway your opinion tonight?”

She might have stiffened, but Sol couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief ( pride ) over the fact that she didn’t cower before him like others might. Rolling the lock of hair between his fingers, a soft hum fell passed his lips - silver orbs observing her silently as she spoke. So she might have his former lovers looks, but the memories were absent. Making a mental note to hunt down one of the Day Courts spell cleavers and demand answers, a lazy smile spread across his lips. “So you remember nothing then.” 

“Is that what you believe? That I was the lapdog?” He asked, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice. “Vesper might have confined me to this form, but my power in near infinite. I had my reasons for staying put. And for leaving.” Because he refused to repeat the mistakes of their past. Releasing the lock of her hair ( silver gaze following it as it settled ), he smirked. “Queen of Hewn City. A suitable title, though the territory seems in need of expanding.” 

He’d always been so strange. An air of apathy to all others clung to him like a cheap cologne. Yet when those otherworldly eyes fell to her it was as if they came into focus. Sharp, intense focus. Era used to wonder if she was making it up. Merely imagining the strange interest he had taken in her, but it was too often, too strong a feeling to write off. She wondered if anyone else noticed. She wondered why he made such bizarre remarks to her. “I remember quite a lot, actually. Is there a particular reason for this strange insult?”

Her eyes did not leave his. She did not falter or balk away from his gaze. Her head tilted to one side, considering what he was saying, and deciding that it was bullshit. “You stayed because it was your bargain. You left because you could. It is not a luxury afforded to all.” Her eyes briefly flicker to the hair that had fallen back to her shoulder. Usually, she wouldn’t allow anyone this proximity to her without expressed permission. Sol had known her before though. When she was the doll of her father’s court, and it would appear old habits died hard. “You would have my court exposed to the rest of Prythian?” Disgusting.

The smile he sent the person over his sisters shoulder was near predatory - and when they fumbled back a step he couldn’t help but chuckle darkly. Good. Everyone needed to know that the woman was not to be trifled with - else fear the wrath of either brother. “Ah - yes. My fine jewelry truly does make me a pretty sight, doesn’t it?” He responded - gaze softening slightly as it refocused on the woman before him. “Should certain Courts haven chosen such cowardice, we will find ways to persuade them otherwise.” Everyone had a weakness, and with everyone already believing the poor reputation of the Night Court, Draco was not above exploiting them. “Nikolai is in the Throne room - the Made one is with him. And Asteria is keeping an ear to the ground. Have patience. We’ve only just arrived and we know better then to expect the best of everyone.”

It must be a sight, truly. Era could only imagine what people thought when they saw the children of night together. Should by shoulder, darkness rolled off of them. Nikolai was a powerful being in and of himself, but his brother and sister were not to be taken lightly either. The whole of the world knew it too. Her eyes cut sharply at those she’d already addressed to complete the picture. Night’s vigilance. “I see you’ve brought all your favorites. I myself have my favored wear on.” She said eyeing the violet siphon on her cuff. Preparation had been drilled into them. “And if they cannot be persuaded? Will they be eradicated? Are we prepared for that?” Era whispered, looking fiercely into her brother’s eyes. “Which Made one? It seems we are swimming with them all now.” How the damned Cauldron had been found was as much a mystery to her as it was inconvenient. “Trust me, I know what to expect of people trapped under a mountain. That’s why I’m here. Isn’t it?” Her eyes traveled up to meet his. She paused. “What’s wrong? You look-" Scared. She’d never seen Draco scared.

            MAYBE HE’S FLYING? MAYBE THIS IS JUST DYING? he’s probably had too much wine, too. he’s just trying to keep up and drinking so much wine had been a way to ease the tension. to try to seem normal but silas was never going to be normal was he? he’s so preoccupied with vomiting in the bushes he doesn’t notice that someone is trying to glamour him. 

              “hey cut it out!” he snaps, but it’s just some lesser fairies playing games. before he knows it though there’s a shadow looming over him. he’s real sick of being pushed to be a good person. he’s not… and the person in front of him currently has two faces, his double vision is out of control. he flops onto a bench gracelessly and says, “let’s have it out in the morning ok?” / open 

The High Lord of the Autumn Court was caught hurling into the vegetation. That wasn’t going to be a pretty rumor the next day. When they started talks of war and peace no one would dare listen to him while they mocked him behind their back. She threw her power out to grab the attention of the lesser fae before they could disappear back into the depth of the mountain. Her brows knit together and the face of the Queen of Hewn City appeared. “Do not dare speak of what you have seen or you will face my wrath.” She threatened and tightened the leash of darkness around their arms. Pushing furiously to the point that the bones would have snapped if she went any further. Then Era suddenly released it. “Leave.” She commanded and turned her attention to the male who had since landed exhausted on the bench.

Guilt coursed through her, but it was an emotion that she could not show. No. Nikolai still relied on her to have the persona of a wicked queen, willing to do anything for their cause. He needed the intimidation her reputation brought, but Era had known his sister. She’d liked his sister, more genuinely than many in her court. There would never be a day that she would not feel responsible for the action of her court. He had not gone unpunished by Era, but there was only so much she could do without the permission of her brother, without losing control of the rest of the courtiers. “A shame. I’m more of a night person.”

Asteria hadn’t meant to stare, only she’d drank a little too much and was beginning to lose her subtleness. Moving forward away from the crowd she’d been standing in she spoke,“Only curious how you managed o get away from your brothers, Lady.”Sipping on the goblet of wine in her hand Asteria moved closer, slipping from her place perched near one of the high top tables toward the girl. “Enjoying yourself so far, I hope? There are a lot of people from the other courts, and it’s not often we get to see each other all at once. You’ve gained the attention of many here as well, I’ve heard plenty from people admiring your beauty and poise.”

Era sighed. She should have expected Asteria to be watching somewhere in the shadows. She was relatively sure that Draco had given her explicit directions to do precisely that. “They are particularly distracted this evening for obvious reasons.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s strange being under this mountain. It is so different from back home.” The Hewn City. The monstrous palace that the rest of Prythian believed the Night Court to be. The place that Era had become queen of. “They’re all pompous, ass-kissing, idiots, and I’ve already grown entirely bored of them. I’m dreading even attempting the rest of the meetings. How are you enjoying yourself? Draco making you work too hard?”

Draco watched as the features of the person morphed - from a look of curiosity for his sister to poorly veiled fear as he moved to stand behind her. Chuckling darkly, he dipped his head toward her ear.  “Don’t worry sister, they weren’t looking at you.” It must have to do with the visible amount of metal hanging from him - each weapon gleaming in the light as he moved. Everyone had told him it was unnecessary, but Draco had refused to listen. He wasn’t taking the chance. “We aren’t in Hewn City. These are kitten compared to the vipers you are familiar with. Ease your worry.” After all - he and Nikolai were there to watch after her. Nothing would happen to her under their watch.

Era turned around to see one of her older brothers standing behind her. It was a miracle that she hadn’t heard his approach with all the weaponry he’d decided to sport tonight. “How could they when you’re behind me wearing so much fine jewelry?” She teased and reached out to run her finger along one of the blades. Her lips pursed at his comment. “Better a viper you’re familiar with than a snake in the grass. I’ve heard rumors that there are courts aligning themselves with Hybern.” She said in a hushed tone. “Have you heard the same? Has Asteria been able to learn anything yet? Where’s Nikki? I haven’t seen him for a while.”

@eraunderneath​

Sol had spent years watching the young woman blossom into the doppleganger of his former lover - and with the shackles of her father broken for the pair of them - there was nothing left to make him believe it was some trick. He’d known the moment she stepped into the hall for the feast - and it was only after she had separated from her companions that he dared approach. Stepping up beside her as she perused the drink table, his head cocked to the side ( a predator watching its prey ). 

When her attention swung to him and her spine straightened, his fingers reached out - capturing a loose lock between his fingers. The color and texture was exactly as he remembered, and though he wanted to see if the smell held the same familiarity, the last thing he wanted to do was terrify her. “Tell me - do you remember? Or did they take those memories from you?”

The liquid shimmered and sparkled against the pewter goblet, making it look like a starry sky. Era plucked the drink from the table and took a sip despite the eyes that she felt digging deep into her back. A shiver rolled down her spine as she wheeled around to see just who exactly felt the need to be so concentrated on her. The silver eyes that she was met with were all too familiar. Sol had been her father’s puppet for years. Vesper had the good sense to bargain with him and always have an upper hand, but the instant that her father had passed on... He’d vanished. 

Era stiffened. There was something that had always been unnerving in his gaze and it wasn’t the swirling glow. Yet, she did not flinch away from his touch. She would never give him the satisfaction of letting him believe she was like the rest of those fools who cowered in fear from him. “No. Unfortunately, I still remember your every action as my father’s lapdog, Sol, and I still remember you running away as fast as possible when he died. Why? Did you send someone to take those memories or something?”